On September 11, 2024, at about 0350 hours, Newark Police responded to an attempted theft in the 100-block of Wilbur Street.  The resident called Newark Police reporting that at about 0315 that morning, he awoke to noises outside his residence.  The resident observed a male not known to him attempting to cut the lock off a bicycle in the rear yard of the residence.

Upon seeing the resident, the suspect fled on foot, with the resident chasing him.  The suspect then confronted the victim while displaying a sharp object.  The resident retreated and the suspect fled in a vehicle.

Less than 48 hours later, a Newark Police officer on patrol observed a suspect matching the description of this suspect riding on bicycle on East Cleveland Avenue.  The officer stopped the suspect, who was in possession of stolen property from another, unrelated, crime.  The suspect was taken into custody without incident.

The suspect was identified as Michael Evans, 57, of Newark.  Subsequent investigation by the Newark Police Department Criminal Investigations Division developed evidence connecting Evans to the attempted robbery, along with other thefts in the Newark area during the previous days.  These thefts included items from yards on East Park Place and East Cleveland Avenue.

Evans was transported to Newark Police headquarters where he was charged with:

• Attempted Robbery First Degree
• Possession of Burglar’s Tools (2 counts)
• Terroristic Threatening
• Attempted Theft Under $1,500
• Theft Under $1,500 (4 counts)
• Criminal Mischief
• Criminal Trespass Third Degree (3 counts)

Evans appeared before Justice of the Peace Court #2 by video and was ordered to be held in default of $32,000 secured bail. Evans was turned over to the custody of the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington.